An Imperial Capital Vijayanagara question answer: Ncert Solutions For Class 12 History Chapter 7 An Imperial Capital Vijayanagara
| Textbook | NCERT |
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | History |
| Chapter | Chapter 7 |
| Chapter Name | An Imperial Capital Vijayanagara class 12 ncert solutions |
| Category | Ncert Solutions |
| Medium | English |
Are you looking for History Class 12 Chapter 7 question answer in english? Now you can download Ncert Solutions For Class 12 History Chapter 7 An Imperial Capital Vijayanagara pdf from here.
note: All these questions and answers are based on the new syllabus. So the chapter numbers may seem different to you.
[ Answer in 100-150 words ] Class 12 History chapter 7 questions and answers in English
Question 1: What have been the methods used to study the ruins of Hampi over the last two centuries? In what way do you think they would have complemented the information provided by the priests of the Virupaksha temple?
Answer 1: The study of the ruins of Hampi over the last two centuries has employed a variety of methods. Initially, the engineer and antiquarian Colonel Colin Mackenzie brought Hampi to light in 1800. Working for the East India Company, Mackenzie prepared the first survey maps of the site. His initial information relied heavily on the memories of the priests of the Virupaksha temple and the shrine of Pampadevi.
From 1856 onwards, the advent of photography enabled photographers to record images of the monuments. These photographs provided invaluable visual documentation that allowed scholars to study and analyze the architectural and artistic features of the site in greater detail. Additionally, numerous inscriptions were collected from the Virupaksha temple and other surrounding temples. These inscriptions provided critical data for understanding the political, social, and religious history of the region.
Historians have also gathered information from various other sources, such as the accounts of foreign travelers and literature composed in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Sanskrit. These literary sources offered diverse perspectives and enriched the historical narrative of Hampi.
Question 2: How were the water requirements of Vijayanagara met?
Answer 2: The water requirements of Vijayanagara were primarily met through a natural basin formed by the Tungabhadra River, which flows in a north-eastern direction. This river is surrounded by granite hills, which seem to form a natural enclosure around the city. Numerous streams originate from these hills and flow into the river. So the rulers of the Vijayanagara Alongside almost all these streams, got built large embankments to create reservoirs of various sizes.
One of the most significant reservoirs was the Kamalapuram tank, constructed in the early years of the fifteenth century. The water from this tank was used to irrigate nearby fields and was also channeled through a canal to the ‘royal center.’ The Hiriya Canal, one of the most important water structures of the time, is still visible today in its ruined state. This canal drew water from a dam on the Tungabhadra River and was used to irrigate the valley that separated the ‘religious center’ from the ‘urban center.’ The construction of this canal was likely undertaken by the rulers of the Sangama dynasty.
Question 3: What do you think were the advantages and disadvantages of enclosing agricultural land within the fortified area of the city?
Answer 3: The advantages and disadvantages of enclosing agricultural land within the fortified areas of the city were as follows :
Advantages of enclosing agricultural land within the fortified area:
(i) Prolonged Sieges: During the medieval period, sieges aimed to starve defenders into submission. These seiges could last for a long period. Normally, rulers tried to be prepared for such situations by building large granaries with the fortified areas. The rulers of Vijayanagara adopted a more elaborate strategy of protecting the agricultural belt itself.
(ii) Peasant Security: With agricultural land inside the fortifications, peasants could continue cultivating without interruption from warfare or other external threats. This stability prevented financial difficulties for the peasants.
(iii) Stable Land Revenue: As land revenue was a main income source for the state, protecting the agricultural tract ensured a regular and uninterrupted income from this source, contributing to the state’s economic stability.
(iv) Irrigation Infrastructure: Enclosed agricultural tracts often included advanced irrigation systems, such as the canal system drawing water from the Tungabhadra in Vijayanagara, ensuring reliable water supply and robust agricultural productivity.
Disadvantages of enclosing agricultural land within the fortified area:
(i) High Cost: Enclosing extensive agricultural land within fortifications was very expensive due to the need for larger and more complex defensive structures.
(ii) Inconvenience to Farmers: During adverse circumstances, such as when large sections of land needed to be fortified quickly, it could cause significant disruption and inconvenience to farmers.
(iii) Large Army Requirement: Maintaining a larger fortified area necessitated a larger army for protection, increasing the state’s military expenditure and logistical challenges.
(iv) Land Inclusion Decisions: Expansion of agriculture to other areas beyond the fortified area becomes difficult. Agriculture has to confined within this area.
Question 4: What do you think was the significance of the rituals associated with the mahanavami dibba?
Answer 4: Mahanavami is a (literally, the great ninth day) ten-day Hindu festival during the autumn months of September and October. It is known as Dussehra in North India, Durga Puja in Bengal and Navaratri or Mahanavami in peninsular India.
The rituals associated with Mahanavami Dibba had special significance. The religious ceremonies on this occasion included worship of the image, worship of the state horse, and the sacrifice of buffaloes and other animals. The main attractions of this event included Dances, wrestling matches, and processions of caparisoned horses, elephants and chariots and soldiers, as well as ritual presentations before the king and his guests by the chief nayakas and subordinate kings marked the occasion.
These ceremonies were imbued with deep symbolic meanings. On the last day of the festival the king inspected his army and the armies of the nayakas in a grand ceremony in an open field. On this occasion the nayakas brought rich gifts for the king as well as the stipulated tribute.
Question 5: Fig. 7.33 is an illustration of another pillar from the Virupaksha temple. Do you notice any floral motifs? What are the animals shown? Why do you think they are depicted? Describe the human figures shown.
Answer 5: Given illustration of the pillar from the Virupaksha temple has pictures of plants bearing flowers and different animals-birds.Animals, birds include peacock, horse, duck, etc. These pictures were probably carved out on gateways to attract people. These pictures also express devotion, religiousness and-love for art of patronage ruler.Except this various kinds of animals and birds were associated with different gods and goddesses.
That was why they were also worshipped. Human pictures include both deities and their worshippers respectively. A god is shown wearing malas and crown. He also has gadda in his hands. Probably he was the destroyer of Rakshashas. In another picture devotee is shown near the ‘Shivlinga’ His method of worship is also strange which is not applicable in any form.
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Question 6: Discuss whether the term “royal centre” is an appropriate description for the part of the city for which it is used.
Answer 6: The term “royal centre” is indeed an appropriate description for the part of the city for which it is used. The royal centre was located in the South-Western part of the settlement. primarily due to its historical and architectural significance. Here are the key points supporting this appropriateness:
Temples and Religious Structures: The royal centre housed more than 60 temples, constructed by the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire to signify their supremacy and devotion. These temples were central to the religious and cultural life of the empire.
Palaces: Around thirty building complexes were identified as palaces. There were relatively large structures that do not seem to be associated with ritual functions.
The Buildings In Royal Centres : – On the basis of the form of buildings and their functions, different structures were assigned their names. The king’s palace was the largest of the buildings but there was no strong evidence that it was a royal residence. It had two impressive platforms, called the ”audience hall” and the ”mahanavami dibba”. The entire complex was surrounded by high double walls with a street running between them.
Architectural Marvels: The Lotus Mahal is one of the most beautiful and intriguing buildings in the royal centre. Named by British travelers in the nineteenth century, its precise function remains debated. However, its architectural elegance and strategic location suggest it could have been a council chamber where the king met his advisers, highlighting the administrative importance of the area.
Question 7: What does the architecture of buildings like the Lotus Mahal and elephant stables tell us about the rulers who commissioned them?
Answer 7: The architecture of buildings like the Lotus Mahal and elephant stables tell us that the rulers had adopted Indian traditional symbol, signs and totems. They were Hindu by faith but they were liberal by nature.
Lotus Mahal:- Lotus Mahal was so named by the British travellers in the 19th century. Historians have different opinions regarding the use of this building. According to a few this building was used as a council of chamber where the king met his advisers.
In this regard, they gave the evidence of a map drawn by Colonel Colin Mackenzie. This building is constructed in Indo-Islamic style of architecture. The pillars and arch were built in Muslim style while the wall and roof were constructed in Indian style wood and stone figures were engraved on the walls and roof to give them a decorative appearance with the passage of time to the most part of this building got destroyed, hence it is difficult to guess its grandeur.
Elephant stables:- The Rayas (rulers) of the Vijayanagara maintained a very large army and troops. There were a large number of elephants in the army. To keep these elephants, Elephant stable was constructed near the Lotus Mahal in which a number of rooms were lined.
Question 8: What are the architectural traditions that inspired the architects of Vijayanagara? How did they transform these traditions?
Answer 8: The architectural traditions that inspired the architects of Vijayanagara drew from a blend of earlier South Indian styles and innovations unique to their period. The rulers of Vijayanagara were renowned for their architectural prowess, exemplified in the numerous temples they built, showcasing their skills and introducing new features to temple architecture. Among these innovations were the grand gopurams and royal gateways, with The towers of the central shrines signalled the presence of the temple from a great distance.
The royal gateways, however, were more than just structural elements; they symbolized the kings’ absolute control over resources, techniques, and craftsmanship. Distinctive elements of Vijayanagara architecture included mandapas or pavilions and pillared corridors encircling the shrines. The empire’s architectural heritage is epitomized by the Virupaksha and Vitthala temples. There were two main temples. The Virupaksha temple and the Vitthala Temple.
Although the Virupaksha temple dates back to the 9th-10th centuries, it was significantly expanded during the Vijayanagara Empire, with Krishnadeva Raya adding a hall adorned with intricately carved pillars to commemorate his ascension. Many temple complexes had chariot streets. These streets extended from the temple gopuram in a straight line. They were paved with slabs of stone and lied with pillared pavilions. In which merchants have set up their shops. In other words, the rulars of Vijayanagara built impressive buildings.
Question 9: What impression of the lives of the ordinary people of Vijayanagara can you cull from the various descriptions in the chapter?
Answer 9: Ordinary people were those people who did not take part in power structure. They spoke different languages and follow different religious traditions. They consisted of small traders and local merchants. They use to live in cities, trade centres, port , towns and villages. Local communities of merchants known as kudirai chettis or horse merchants participated in exchanges.
People such as peasants, workers, slaves, etc. were also included in ordinary people. The workers were known as “Vipra viodin”. This group of ironsmiths, goldsmiths, carpenters, sculpture-makers, etc. Who often quarrelled mutually for their right. It seems that during that period, need was felt to frame laws for the society to execute social justice.
Kaikkol known as the weavers were in large numbers. They lived near temples. They played significant role in running the administration of the temple. In Vijayanagara state there were Gadarias known as Kambalattar. They followed the customs of polyandry. The special characteristic was that the wife was elder to the husband. Their women had physical relations with the husband’s kinsmen like father, brothers were prevalent.
There was an orthodox bigot section in Vijayanagara called as reddis who owned the land. They had enough influence in the Telugu region of Vijayanagara. In the society there were a few low class people, who were non-influential. They were Domber, Marva,Jogi, Paraiyan, Boi Kallaar, etc. Some low caste people converted into Christianity under the influences of Portuguese.
Question 10: On an outline map of the world, mark approximately Italy, Portugal, Iran and Russia. Trace the routes the travellers mentioned on would have taken to reach Vijayanagara.
Answer 10: Followed by routes to reach Vijayanagara from Italy and Portugal:-
- The travellers crossed the Red Sea, Arabian Sea and then, they taken land route to reach South India.
- Atlantic Ocean touching the Cape of Good Hope and then Indian Ocean to reach Malabar of India. From here they took land route to reach Vijayanagara.
- The Italian travellers crossed the Arabian Sea and then Indian Ocean and through Malabar coast they reached Vijayanagara.
- From Iran via Afghanistan and modern Pakistan they would have taken land route upto Karnataka, India.
- Russian came to India via Afghanistan. They crossed modern Punjab in Pakistan, central India crossing Vindhyachal, Satpura to Karnataka.